Pulse wave velocities in the aorta

This paper is an analytical study on the pulse wave velocities in the aorta. In conformity to a physiologic state of loading, the distensibility of the vessel wall has been accounted for. The wall material is treated by using the theory of large elastic deformations. The orthotropicity of wall tissues and the effect of the surrounding tissues have been incorporated in the analysis which is based on the use of the strain energy function suggested by Vaishnavet al. Numerical values of the wave velocities of the canine middle descending thoracic aorta are computed by using the derived analytical expressions.     

Characterization of enterotoxin produced by four Yersinia enterocolitica strains of pig origin

All four isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica and one isolate of Y. frederiksenii from pigs were found to be enterotoxigenic. Whole-cell preparations of Y. enterocolitica isolates did not induce any change in the rabbit ligated gut test after 6 and 18 h of inoculation, but Y. frederiksenii on the other hand showed a positive gut response at 18 h. Cell-free supernatant (CFS) of all five isolates induced dilatation in the rabbit gut up to 6 h, after which Y. enterocolitica became negative, while Y. frederiksenii continued to show a reaction up to 18 h. CFS of all five isolates were also found positive with the infant mouse test. Of the five isolates of Yersinia, three gave a positive reaction for the permeability factor on rabbit skin. Yersinia enterotoxin could be concentrated by methanol extraction. It was stable at 100°C for 20 min and at 120°C for 15 min. However, its activity was lost at low (2.0) and high pH (10.0). Enterotoxic preparations of Y. enterocolitica lost part of their enterotoxic activity upon dialysis.     

Effect of soil moisture and clipping stresses on the nutrient (N,P and K) concentration,uptake and use efficiency in one temperate and two tropical grasses

Summary The concentration, uptake and element use efficiency of N, P and K in one C₃ annual (Polypogon monspeliensis) and two C₄ (Echinochloa colonum, an annual, andDichathium annulatum, a perennial) grasses were determined during winter and summer seasons in monocultures raised in field plots at three moisture levels,viz. full, half and one-fourth of field capacity. At each moisture regime the plants were clipped thrice at moderate and severe levels corresponding to 40 and 80% of live green. The concentration of these elements was characteristic of the growth habit of these plants;e.g. the build up of concentration was maximum in leaf of the annuals while it was comparable in crown and leaf of Dichanthium. The N level was maximum in Polypogon. The nutrient use effiency was comparable in the two annuals and maximum K and N use were obtained in Polypogon and Dichanthium, respectively.     

Charge-transfer complexes of some linear conjugated polyenes.

On adsorption of some electron-acceptor molecules on the solid films of all-trans-beta-carotene, beta-apo-8'-carotenal, astacene and methylbixin a new absorption band appears on the longer-wavelength side of the spectrum in addition to the original bands. The position of this new band is dependent on the electron affinity (EA) of the acceptor molecules, and the intensity of this band increases with the amount of adsorbed acceptor molecules. A linear relationship between the vmax. of the new band and EA was observed. The value of the ionization potential of the polyenes estimated from such linear relationship agrees satisfactorily with the value obtained by other methods. It has been concluded that the polyenes behave as electron donor and first form molecular charge-transfer complexes (of type [polyene . I2] with iodine) with electron acceptors, these finally dissociating to yield ionic complexes (of type [polyene . I+] with iodine).     

Factors modifying radiation induced stimulation in plants: Pre-irradiation seed moisture content

Summary The effect of moisture content of seeds at the time of irradiation in relation to radiation-induced stimulation was investigated on rice (Oryza sativa c.v. D-6-2-2). The optimum moisture content was 8% for stimulation measured as seedling height. It is concluded that seed moisture at the time of irradiation plays an important role in the expression of stimulation and its reproducibility.     

Superoxide dismutase: a photochemical augmentation assay.

Cell envelope vesicles containing bacteriorhodopsin, prepared from Halobacterium halobium, have previously been shown to accumulate glutamate to high concentration gradients when illuminated. This active transport is energized by a sodium gradient (Na_out⁺ ? Na_in⁺), which arises from Na⁺-efflux coupled to the light-induced H⁺-gradient. The oxidation of dimethyl phenylenediamine (DPD) by the vesicles also can drive uphill glutamate transport, and such transport is inhibited by KCN, azide, ionophores, or uncouplers. K_T for glutamate is 1.4 × 10^?7m under these conditions, as compared to 1.3 × 10^?7m for light-induced transport. The respiration-induced transport of glutamate is dependent on high Na⁺ concentrations on the vesicle exterior and requires low Na⁺ concentrations in the interior. When Na⁺ of increasing concentrations is included in the vesicles, transport proceeds with increasing lags, similarly to the case of light-driven transport. In vesicles to which DPD is added first, and then KCN at increasing time intervals (5 to 15 min), glutamate transport occurs after the addition of KCN, with increasing rates, even though respiration is inhibited. This indicates that the energy generated by DPD-oxidation is conserved over several minutes. These results suggest that in the case of respiration-dependent glutamate transport the translocation is also driven by a Na⁺-gradient; thus, there is a single glutamate transport system independent of the source of energy. The generation of such an Na⁺-gradient during DPD-oxidation implies that the respiration component involved, cytochrome oxidase, is functionally equivalent to bacteriorhodopsin, which acts as a proton pump.     

Studies on electrolyte-nonelectrolyte interactions: Viscosity behavior of alkali halides aqueous sucrose solutions

The effect of various added electrolytes (sodium and potassium halides of progressively increasing molecular volume) on the viscosity behavior of aqueous sucrose solution (292mM) has been investigated. Data are presented for the concentration range 0.125–3M of the electrolytes over the temperature range of 25 to 40°. The data have been found to satisfy Moulik's equation,(η/η₀)²M +K¹C², for concentrated solutions of electrolytes beyond the Einstein region. The “effective” rigid, molar volume (V_e) and apparent. Jones-Dole B-coefficient (in sucrose solution) have been computed by employing the Breslau-Miller treatment. The change in the viscosity behavior is attributed to structuring effects in solution.     

Relationship of Cob characters with Grain Morphology in Maize (Zea mays,Poaceae)

Twenty varieties of maize (Zea mays, Poaceae) were studied through 11 attributes in three to seven randomly selected plants of each variety with a view to understanding the effect of cob characters on technologically desirable grain qualities. Canonical discriminant analysis showed thatproductivity (determined by total grain weight/cob, cob diameter and average grain weight) was the most discriminating among varieties followed by round grains fraction (represented by whole top and middle flat grains, number of rows and grain count/surface area), middle flat grains (composed of middle flat grains and grain count/surface area) and shape of the cob (determined by shape index, total grain weight/cob and cob diameter), which accounted for 35.1, 18.3, 12.2, and 9.8% of the total variance, respectively. In the light of these results, tentative norms have been suggested to evolve maize varieties of superior technological properties and yet retain high productivity. A cylindrical cob of large diameter with highest number of grains/area and smallest possible number of rows together constituted an ideal combination to achieve the objectives. Such possibilities in the light of available information are discussed.